STAND. COM. REP. NO.  565

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 330

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 330, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC AGENCY MEETINGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure equal access to all state and local government programs, services, and activities for persons with disabilities by requiring the written public notice of any regular, special, or rescheduled meeting, or any executive meeting to list a telephone and facsimile number and an email address such persons can use to request an accommodation.

The Office of Information Management and Technology supported this measure.  The Office of Information Practices, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Disability and Communication Access Board, and two concerned individuals provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Amending the preamble to more clearly state the measure's purpose;

     (2)  Requiring that an email address and facsimile number be provided only when available;

     (3)  Specifying that the contact information may also be used for general information or to request an auxiliary aide or service; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 330, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 330, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair